The Unifi University App embarked on a transformative journey, evolving from its initial launch in 2021 to a complete redesign and rebuild in 2023. Spearheaded by Quantox, this project aimed to create a scalable and dynamic group chat feature for Unifi, a social network built specifically for students across Great Britain.

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The Challenge: Overcoming Limitations of the Monolithic Architecture

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The original version of the Unifi app faced significant challenges due to its monolithic architecture, built using Laravel, a PHP framework. As the need for a group chat feature arose, it became clear that the existing monolithic structure couldn’t efficiently support this new functionality. 

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• Scalability Issues: Integrating the group chat into the monolithic architecture created performance bottlenecks.
• Resource Utilization Concerns: The monolithic setup was inefficient in handling long-term executions, especially as the number of users grew.

In response, a strategic decision was made to transition to a microservices architecture—a move that would provide the scalability, flexibility, and performance needed to build a next-generation chat system.

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The Strategic Shift: Embracing Microservices

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From Laravel to Node.js

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In 2022, Quantox took bold steps by initiating a complete redesign and rebuild of the app’s core structure. The team transitioned from PHP (Laravel) to Node.js, leveraging modern technologies to build a system capable of handling increased loads and real-time communication demands.

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• New Tech Stack: Nest.js, MongoDB, socket.io, and RabbitMQ were chosen to enable a robust, horizontally scalable system.
• Scalability at the Core: The switch to Node.js and microservices architecture was pivotal in creating a high-performance, scalable chat solution for Unifi.

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This decision significantly improved the app’s ability to handle millions of students, ensuring future scalability and a smooth user experience.

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Innovative Group Chat Functionality: Tailored for Students

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One of the standout features of the redesigned Unifi app is its intelligent group chat system, which optimizes the student experience by offering personalized interactions:

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• Automated Group Assignment: Students are automatically assigned to relevant group chats based on factors like university, enrollment year, course, and interests.
• Fostering Connections: This approach promotes meaningful connections and knowledge exchange between students, allowing for a richer social networking experience.

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By designing a system that connects students based on shared attributes, the app goes beyond simple social interaction—creating a platform for academic and personal growth.

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Technological Innovations and Challenges

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The development of Unifi’s new chat system was no easy feat. It involved overcoming several technical hurdles and ensuring a seamless transition to a more dynamic platform:

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• Dynamic Group Formation: Matching students by interests and academic background required advanced algorithms to ensure relevance and privacy.
• User Experience: Balancing scalability with a simple, intuitive interface was key to ensuring the app was both powerful and user-friendly.
• Backend Infrastructure: The backend needed to handle dynamic, real-time communication while maintaining high availability and performance.

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Technological Stack

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The updated app leverages a powerful and modern tech stack:

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• Frontend: SwiftUI, Kotlin for native apps on iOS and Android.
• Backend: Node.js, Nest.js, MongoDB, Redis, RabbitMQ, Socket.io, and Firebase Cloud Messaging.
• Infrastructure: Kubernetes, AWS, and S3 to ensure stability, scalability, and fast content delivery.

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This selection of tools and technologies ensured that the system could handle thousands of concurrent users without compromising performance or user experience.

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Addressing Technological Uncertainties: Collaboration and Innovation

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The transition from PHP to Node.js wasn’t without its challenges. The development team, comprising designers, engineers, project managers, and QA specialists, worked tirelessly to:

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• Resolve Scaling Issues: Ensuring the system could scale to meet the needs of different student groups, from small universities to large institutions.
• Optimize User Matching: Creating algorithms to group students based on dynamic factors such as courses and interests, while ensuring privacy in private chats.
• Maintain a User-Centric Design: Keeping the interface intuitive, even as the backend evolved into a complex microservices system.

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From May 2022 to August 2023, the team worked in close collaboration, refining designs, developing native apps, ensuring high-quality standards, and implementing the backend infrastructure. The result? A feature-rich and robust group chat system that sets a new standard for social networking platforms within the educational sector.

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Unify : A Testament to Innovation and Teamwork

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The Unifi University App project exemplifies the power of strategic decision-making, continuous innovation, and effective teamwork. By embracing Node.js and microservices architecture, Unifi was able to create a scalable, efficient chat system that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of students across Great Britain.

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This project is a perfect example of how the right technology choices, coupled with collaboration and perseverance, can lead to breakthrough innovations that empower communities and enhance user experiences.

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